30 October 1997 Edition
Derry Council discriminates
In a landmark judgment by the fair employment tribunal, Derry City Council is being forced to defend an unprecedented case of anti-Catholic discrimination, currently being heard in Belfast.
After two days of evidence, the tribunal ruled last Tuesday 28 October that a complaint of discrimination by a council employee, Brian McKenna, must be allowed to proceed. The tribunal's decision means that the manager of personnel services Peter Sidebottom, and Derry City Council must answer a charge of discrimination on religious and/or political grounds against Mr. McKenna.
The claim of discrimination results from a chargehand promotion in the motor-transport section of the Council's technical department in July 1995.
McKenna's legal team argued that a litany of damning evidence existed that McKenna had been denied promotion in favour of a Protestant applicant, despite his equivalent experience and higher qualifications.
The case is reported to have caused consternation amongst members of Derry Council who had not been informed until this week about the charge of anti-catholic discrimination against them.
It is reliably understood that some members of council are demanding that the chief executive institute an independent investigation by the local gouvernment auditor into possible breaches of the city Council's internal procedures and the expenditure of large sums of public money in defence of this case.
McKenna's tribunal case and legal representatives are being supported by the voluntary anti-discrimination group, Equality, and by his own family circle. The case is ongoing.
After two days of evidence, the tribunal ruled last Tuesday 28 October that a complaint of discrimination by a council employee, Brian McKenna, must be allowed to proceed. The tribunal's decision means that the manager of personnel services Peter Sidebottom, and Derry City Council must answer a charge of discrimination on religious and/or political grounds against Mr. McKenna.
The claim of discrimination results from a chargehand promotion in the motor-transport section of the Council's technical department in July 1995.
McKenna's legal team argued that a litany of damning evidence existed that McKenna had been denied promotion in favour of a Protestant applicant, despite his equivalent experience and higher qualifications.
The case is reported to have caused consternation amongst members of Derry Council who had not been informed until this week about the charge of anti-catholic discrimination against them.
It is reliably understood that some members of council are demanding that the chief executive institute an independent investigation by the local gouvernment auditor into possible breaches of the city Council's internal procedures and the expenditure of large sums of public money in defence of this case.
McKenna's tribunal case and legal representatives are being supported by the voluntary anti-discrimination group, Equality, and by his own family circle. The case is ongoing.